How Green was 2008

Many analysts predicted that 2008 was going to be a green year in terms of the home. More people would adopt materials and practices that saved energy and were good for the environment. My own New Year Resolutions for the beginning of the year included being more green in our home. But then we had a downturn in the economy. So did everyone live up to the expectations? Yes and no. Let me start with my own home. We live pretty frugally and normally try to avoid waste whenever possible by reusing items. We do recycle quite a bit and … Continue reading →

Graves are a Solar Energy Source

Here is a news story about being green even after you have passed on from this world. The generations before that contributed to global warming can now contribute to saving the planet through solar energy. One working class town in Spain has taken to putting solar panels on the mausoleums at one cemetery. The 462 solar panels produce enough energy to run 60 homes for a year. In this way, the past is helping the present and the future. An estimated 62 tons of carbon dioxide will be kept out of the atmosphere, thanks to these solar panels. Why did … Continue reading →

Going Green on Halloween

Did you know that you can go green for Halloween? No, I’m not talking about dressing your kids up as compost, but by making more environmentally conscious decision around your home and for your family this Halloween. Did you know that Americans are likely to spend more than 5 million dollars this year on Halloween stuff, from decorations to costumes to candy? This is according to the National Retail Federation. Many of those purchases will later go on to find their way into the landfill. Some of the biggest offenders are plastic decorations and costumes, and all of that packaging … Continue reading →

Collecting Rainwater

Did you know that the average American uses 101 gallons of water a day for their home and yard? As climate changes bring about increased drought, this number will become even more shocking than it already is. Some homeowners are choosing the green option of collecting rainwater. Rainwater can reduce the reliance on city water and save resources, especially as water ordinances and restrictions are becoming tighter and water more scarce. While non-purified rainwater should not be used for drinking, there are so many other uses for it. Rainwater can be used to water lawns and gardens, do laundry, fill … Continue reading →

Smart Solutions for Non Recyclables

We know that we are doing well for the environment when our recycling is much larger than our garbage. Recycling to reduce the amount of trash you leave behind on the planet is a wonderful thing. But what do you do with all of those things that can’t be recycled, such as electronic equipment or plastics that aren’t collected in your area? Here are some tips. First, if you have something usable, consider posting it to a group such as freecycle. Even items that need a little repair may be wanted by someone who can fix them up. I’ve gotten … Continue reading →

Are Organic Garden Products Misleading?

When we see an organic sticker on a product, we can have faith that we are doing the right thing for the environment by purchasing it, right? This is actually not necessarily the case. For food, organic stickers are USDA approved, so that food must meet certain standards to be labeled organic. This is not true for other products, such as garden products. pretty much anyone can currently slap on an organic or green label on a garden product, such as a bottle of pesticide whether or not it is truly organic. If using organic gardening products is important to … Continue reading →

Disposing of CFLs

Using compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) are a smart way to do something wonderful for the planet. CFLs use 75 percent less energy than do traditional incandescent bulbs. You should definitely replace any high use light bulbs with CFLs, such as porch or driveway lights, kitchen or living room lights, etc. The cost of CFLs has gone down quite a bit, making them comparable to the incandescent. That means you won’t first have to invest a lot of money to save on your energy costs. The downside to CFLs is that they contain trace amounts of mercury. This mercury can … Continue reading →

Going Green in the Garage (and Basement)

Do you want to start a new project in your home? How about going through your rooms and see what changed you can make to go green and lessen your family’s impact on the planet? There are so many changes that you can make, from the small to the large. We’ve already covered the bedroom and the bathroom. Now, let’s take a look at the garage and basement. Let’s first examine insulation. Insulating the basement can really do a lot to reduce your heating costs. Even if the basement are isn’t heated, having it insulated can still reduce the impact … Continue reading →

Going Green in the Bathroom 2

Making eco-friendly choices is not just about buying organic. There are so many things that you can do to reduce your impact on the planet. The bathroom is no exception. Previously, we covered going green in the bedroom and going green in the kitchen. Now we can examine one of the most frequently used rooms of the house. If you missed the first part of this article, click here: Going Green in the Bathroom. Go Low Flow Installing low-flow toilets and fixtures can greatly reduce the amount of water that you use. There are low-flow toilets, shower heads, and bathroom … Continue reading →

Going Green in the Bathroom

Making eco-friendly choices is not just about buying organic. There are so many things that you can do to reduce your impact on the planet. The bathroom is no exception. Previously, we covered going green in the bedroom and going green in the kitchen. Now we can examine one of the most frequently used rooms of the house. Check out the following strategies that you can use to go green in the bathroom. Water, Water Everywhere The most obvious way to go green in this room is by saving water whenever possible. Take shorter showers. To do this, consider using … Continue reading →